CIRI-FRAME/Catalysis for Renewable and Innovative Process (Care in Process)

Laboratory for hydrogen production and the utilisation of carbon dioxide with renewable energy

Catalysis for Renewable and Innovative Process is a research group dedicated to developing technologies for the sustainable production and use of hydrogen, as well as the capture, utilisation and storage of CO₂. The aim is to contribute to the transition to a cleaner energy system by developing innovative catalytic processes and solutions with potentially CO₂-negative emissions.

Combining applied research with an industrial outlook, the group develops tailor-made catalysts and materials for converting renewable energy and biomass, turning research findings into practical processes for producing hydrogen and fuels, and for large-scale CO₂ utilisation.

Catalysis for Renewable and Innovative Processes is currently hosted at the Hydrogen and Carbon Use through Energy from Renewables/HC-hub-ER laboratory.

Experimental activities take place on gas-phase plants equipped with 2.5 cm diameter reactors and on systems for testing solid oxide cells up to 100 cm², capable of operating at up to 40 bar and 1000 °C, allowing processes to be validated up to Technology Readiness Level (TRL) 5.

EXPERTISE

  • Development and characterisation of heterogeneous catalysts

  • Development and management of processes for producing hydrogen and fuels, or converting carbon dioxide

  • Development and management of processes for producing hydrogen electrochemically using solid oxide cells

  • Post-mortem characterisation of catalytic systems and identification of material properties that would support process optimisation

EQUIPMENT

  • Prototype plants for CO₂ conversion and hydrogen production with 2.5 cm reactors, capable of holding up to 100 cc of catalyst

  • Reforming, partial oxidation and methanation plant, capable of operating at up to 20 bar and 1000 °C

  • CO2 conversion plant for the production of methanol, dimethyl ether and sustainable aviation fuels capable of working at up to 50 bar and 600°C

  • A 6 cm tubular furnace for treatments in controlled atmosphere at up to 1500 °C

  • Systems for analysing catalysts

  • Semi-pilot scale catalyst preparation system (200-400 g)

  • Solid oxide electrolyser

SERVICES

  • Development of innovative catalytic systems

  • Development of innovative processes

  • Testing of catalytic systems and cells

  • Consultancy services

TECHNOLOGIES DEVELOPED

  • Tri-Reforming for the conversion of CH4/CO2 mixtures

  • Conversion of CO2 to methanol and dimethyl ether

  • Electrolysis

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